* A print of Busbys Folly occurs in a rare volume, called
“Views of divers noted places near London, 1731,” of which
Gough, the antiquary never saw hut one copy. Its site is
particularly pointed out in Ogilby's map of London to
Holyhead.
* “Sadler's Wells being lately opened, there is likely to be
a great resort of strolling damsels, half-pay officers,
peripatetic tradesmen, tars, butchers, and others, musically
inclined.”—Weekly Journal, 16th March 1718.
It is curious to read at the bottom of the old bills and
advertisements of Sadler's Wells the following alarming announcements:—“A horse patrol will be sent in the New
Road that night for the protection of the nobility and
gentry who go from the squares and that end of the town. The
road also towards the city will be properly guarded.”
“June 1783. Patroles of horse and foot are stationed from
Sadler's Wells' gate along the New Road to Tottenham Court
turnpike; likewise from the City Road to Moorfields; also to
St. John Street, and across the Spafields to Rosoman Row,
from the hours of eight to eleven.”
After which followed the standard, an enormous pair of horns mounted on a lofty pole, borne by three officers, and attended by the master of the ceremonies, the mace-bearer, the herald at-arms, the sword-bearer and the crier, their footsteps keeping time to a flourish of trumpets and horns. *
* “On Tuesday next, being Shrove Tuesday, there will be a
fine hog bar-byqu'd whole, at the house of Peter Brett, at
the Rising Sun, in Islington Road, with other diversions.—
Note. It is the house where the ox was roasted whole at
Christmas last.” Mist's Journal, Feb. 9, 1726.
A hog barbecu'd is a West Indian term, and means a hog
roasted whole, stuffed with spice, and basted with Madeira
wine. Oldfield, an eminent glutton of former days,
gormandised away a fortune of fifteen hundred pounds a-year.
Pope thus alludes to him,—
“Oldfield, with more than harpy throat endu'd,
Cries, 'Send me, gods, a whole hog barbecu'd!'”
“On Thursday next, being 13th March 1718, the Bowling-
Greens will be opened at the Prospect House, Islington,
where there will be accommodation for all gentlemen
bowlers.”
Bowling-greens were among the many amusements of Merrie
England. The author of “Night Thoughts” established a
bowling-green in the village confided to his pastoral care,
for innocent and healthful recreation.
“True piety is cheerful as the day.”
“May 1757. To be bowl'd for on Monday next, at the Red Cow,
in St. George's Fields, a pair of Silver Buckles, value
fourteen shillings, at five pins, each pin a yard apart. He
that brings most pins at three bowls has the buckles, if the
money is in; if not, the money each man has put in. Three
bowls for sixpence, and a pint of beer out of it, for the
good of the house,”
Arriving near the Gate-house—(gentlemen, we are within a few yards of the very spot!)—the viceroy of the gravel-pits went forth to meet them, presenting the horn of plenty as a token of hearty welcome; and passing through the gate, they made a circuit round the old pond, and returning to their starting-post, one of the brethren delivered a poetical oration, humorously descriptive of Bull-Feathers-Hall, and expatiating on the antiquity and dignity of horns. The speech being ended, they paraded to the dinner-table, which groaned under every luxury of the season. There they regaled themselves, amidst the sounding of trumpets and the winding of horns. Between dinner and dessert, those of the officers who had singing faces volunteered a festive chant, in which the whole company joined chorus.
The shortest, the tallest, the foulest, the fairest,
The fattest, the leanest, the commonest, rarest,
When they and their cronies are merry together,
Will all do their best to advance the Bull's Feather!
A king and a cobbler, a lord and a loon,
A prince and a pedlar, a courtier, a clown;